www.iFourWinns.com

I have been helping a neighbor get his boat going and a few more have been pulling their problem children out as well.

One neighbor has been stumped for over a year. He has a 1990 170 Horizon with a 2.3L (ford) Cobra outdrive. (It has been about 5 years since the boat was actually running. )

He just cant get it to start. When he got it, it had a bad starter which he took to a local rebuilding shop and replaced it. Tried to get it started and started down the path of diagnosing. attached a fuel can directly to the pump, Made sure if you pump the throttle it squirts fuel. He replaced the cap, wires, points, coil, plugs etc. Still no luck it just a sputters dies and it seems to WANT to start.

I had a question that is bugging me.
The starter rebuild shop mentioned that some boat motors run in the opposite direction to their car equivalents. Is this true ? What direction should this engine turn ? (perhaps his rebuilt starter is cranking it backwards)

Does anyone know the firing order ? (I want to make sure his wires are on correctly)

Most run in the same direction as a car. They can be order "reverse rotation" for twin engine applications.

It sounds like clogged idle jets or other passageway in the carburetor. I would buy a carburetor kit (preferably from NAPA or similar and not from marina) and rebuild the carburetor.

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"Knot Easy" 2000 Horizon 240 Volvo 5.7GS /SX
tow: 2017 Honda PILOT EXL-AWD
prev. boats:
'87 Chaparral 198CXL 4.3 OMC Cobra
'69 Jetstar 16ft Ski Boat, 115hp Yamaha
'68 Aluminum Jon Boat, 3hp Sears
'64 Water Wings

Is the OMC 2.3 the same as the Merc 165? If so, my buddy had similar probs with his. I documented it here: http://www.smwebhead.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=11921
Hope it helps.

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1996 205 Sundowner DLX
5.0FL Volvo SX Cobra
Tow Veh: 2012 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X

No its not running at all. There is no engine cover on it either so it isn't CO2.

I suggested he rebuild the carb as well. My gut is telling me it is plugged up and that it needs to be rebuilt from sitting all that time.

Since he replaced the wire I have to confirm they are on correctly.
If it is like a car the firing order for a straight 4 cyl should 1342 correct ?
I will have to figure out what position is #1 on the distributer (plan to use the finger test for TDC). #1 should be front of the engine or back ?

Nope the OMC 2.3 is the same engine Ford used in there smaller cars and trucks. It is a descendent of the 2.0 used in the Pinto/Bobcat/Mustang II.
As noted your first step is to rebuild the carb, make sure the fuel system is clean, maybe you should remove the cover for the sending unit on the tank and take a look in there. You may need to get the tank cleaned.

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

Thinking the same thing.

We actually bypassed the tank all together. We connected a external fuel tank to the fuel pump (std mechanical) so we didn't have to be concerned with what was in the existing tank.

I'm going to push him to rebuild the carb. Interim im going to check to make sure he put the plug wires back on correctly.

Thanks

firing order is 1 3 4 2 correct ,number 1 cylinder is front plug ,dist number1 is facing front left and spins clock wise.

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1989 245 vista
5.7 cobra